Why You Wake Up with Headache (and What You Can Do About It!)

Do you suffer from a dull, pulsating ache in your temple every time you wake up in the morning? I know, it’s the worst way to start your day! But you will be surprised to know that your condition is not that uncommon.

In fact, the American Migraine Foundation has discovered the following findings:

50% of migraines are experienced between 4:00 and 9:00 AM.

80% of people who have experienced these migraines wake up with a headache and exhaustion.

Do you have a headache every time you wake up in the morning

If you regularly wake up with headache, then you have a condition that experts call an awakening headache. To know why it happens and how you can prevent it, you need to read this article!

Why You Wake Up with Headache

Let’s start with the most important thing of all—the reasons why you wake up with headache. It has been discovered that the following sleep issues may cause morning headaches:

Insomnia

This condition is described as having difficulty to fall or stay asleep. Keep in mind that sleep is the perfect time when our boxy relaxes and recovers. When you have insomnia, you will suffer from poor sleep quality and the recovery of your body will be impeded. This may lead to a headache in the morning.

You will also suffer from chronic sleep deprivation which can also negatively impact your mood, memory, and focus.

Sleep Apnea/ Snoring

Aside from insomnia, the next two most common cause of morning headaches are snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

Both are caused by difficulty in breathing

Both of these sleeping issues are caused by difficulty in breathing and may ultimately lead to sleep disturbances at night which will again, prevent you from enjoying quality sleep.

Sleep Movement Disorders

Do you suffer from sleep bruxism or restless legs syndrome? Sleep bruxism is a condition wherein you unknowingly grind or clench your teeth as you sleep. The grinding and clenching act places too much pressure on your chewing muscles. Once these muscles get over-stressed, it may cause painful spasm which can affect your head.

On the other hand, restless legs syndrome is a condition where you experience “pins and needles” feeling on your lower limbs when you are in a supine position. To alleviate this, you would need to toss and turn at night which may prevent you from getting adequate sleep.

To know more about this condition, please watch this video:

Awkward Sleeping Position

I know that this is not a sleep disorder but your sleeping position can affect how well you sleep at night too. Sleeping in an awkward position can cause strain in the muscles in your head and neck area which may also result in a headache.

What You Can Do About It

Now that you know the reasons, the next thing we should figure out is how to prevent or resolve such issues. Here are some of the things that you can do about it:

Get proper support.

Awkward sleeping positions are usually due to the lack of support you have in your bed. Choosing the right mattress can help you maintain your body in proper spine alignment. On the other hand, the right pillow can place your neck, and head are in the right and comfortable position all night long. Because of this, it is crucial that you learn how to choose your pillow and mattress correctly.

Make your bedroom more conducive to sleep.

If you want to achieve quality sleep, you must pay attention to your sleeping environment.

To begin with, you have to make sure that your bedroom is free of clutter, visual or noisy distractions (TVs, Radios and the likes). Moreover, you must keep your room as quiet and dark as possible.

Make your bedroom more conducive to sleep

Last but not least, you must maintain proper temperature – low- to mid- 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything lower may cause headaches in the morning.

Get enough sleep regularly.

Studies have shown that we must have 7 to 8 hours of sleep at night. Anything less or more than that may trigger a headache.

Seek professional help.

If you are suffering from other sleeping disorders, such as sleep apnea, sleep bruxism, and restless legs syndrome, it is best that you consult a doctor.

In Summary

It is never a good thing to wake up with headache, but the good news is, you can do something about it! The key is to get enough (quality) sleep at night and the tips mentioned can help you do that!